Tanasbrook Lake to be Drained for a Year for Stream Enhancement

Hillsboro, OR — July 6, 2005 — Clean Water Services (District) is beginning construction this month on a project that will entail temporarily draining the three lakes for a year to begin the process of improving water quality and aquatic habitat in Bronson Creek. The privately owned Tanasbrook Lakes are located between NW 185th Ave and N.W. Cornell Road. The lakes provide a valued water feature for wildlife and the owners and residents of Tanasbrook condominiums, The Lakes Apartments, and Birch Pointe Apartments. The lakes were established about 40 years ago by damming Bronson Creek.

           
This project is a high priority for the District because of the documented water quality impacts from the lakes and the anticipated benefits of enhancing the stream, wetlands and lake environment. According to Kendra Smith, Water Resources Program Manager for Clean Water Services, "We've been monitoring the conditions in these lakes for the past 10 years and they clearly increase water temperature and lower dissolved oxygen levels in Bronson Creek which is bad for fish and water quality. In addition, the lakes have algae blooms, an overabundance of ducks and geese, and nonnative nutria which are both an aesthetic concern for residents and a water quality concern”.

The District will restore a free flowing stream while also preserving and enhancing the lakes and wetlands as requested by property owners. Two artificial dams will be removed at the lakes near S.W. 185th Avenue and  a berm will be built along one edge of the lakes to establish a separated stream channel. The District is working with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to avoid impacting native fish and wildlife during the construction. Measures to treat runoff from adjacent properties is also part of the plan, along with and education program to reduce duck and nutria feeding.  “It’s a comprehensive strategy to treat a long standing water quality problem, with buy-in from the owners of the lakes” says Smith.

These lakes will remain empty for nine months to a year before any dirt is removed. The construction of  a new stream channel and lakes is scheduled for the summer of 2006. The District will enhance the perimeter of the lakes and stream with native vegetation to prevent erosion, increase habitat, and provide shade to the stream and lakes.

Clean Water Services is a public utility committed to protecting water resources in the Tualatin River Watershed. Nearly 500,000 customers enjoy clean water and healthy rivers and streams through innovative wastewater and stormwater services. Clean Water Services operates four wastewater treatment plants, constructs and maintains flood management and stream enhancement projects and manages flow in the Tualatin River to improve water quality and protect aquatic habitat.

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